Stature estimation from scapular measurements by CT scan evaluation in an Italian population

This study evaluated the correlation between scapula size and stature and developed standard equations in order to estimate stature by CT scan evaluation. A total of 200 healthy Italian subjects (100 men and 100 women, mean age 64.2±12.8years) underwent thoracic CT scan evaluation during pulmonary screening in our department; we measured the stature of each patient with standard anthropometric instruments and then analyzed images to calculate the longitudinal scapular length (LSL) and the transverse scapular length (TSL). The correlation between stature and each parameter measured was analyzed by dividing the population into two groups, males and females, and was examined by simple regression analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Each anthropometric variable showed a significant difference between males and females (p value <0.001). The correlation coefficients (r-values) were LSL=0.74 and TSL=0.51 in males and LSL=0.70 and TSL=0.48 in females. In both sexes the r-values showed a significant correlation between stature and LSL. Our study demonstrates that scapulae can be used for stature estimation; in our sample LSL was found to have a better correlation with stature then TSL. hm=4.247*LSL+93.74 and hf=4.031*LSL+92.38 are the formulae that provide the most accurate stature assessment in males and females respectively.